Category Archives: Photo Gallery

Propagating Gracilis Bamboo by Division – 102

Propagating Gracilis bamboo by division is much, much easier than from cuttings. I’ve had mixed results with bamboo propagation via cuttings, but one thing is for sure, the technique outlined below is fool-proof.

Here are a few guidelines that have worked for me that I’d like to share with you.

1) Larger bamboo culms do not work as well as smaller ones. I use Gracilis culms that have the diameter of a pencil.
2) Make sure the culm has a few nodes (3 or more is good).
3) When you dig up the culms, make sure the rhyzome and roots are still attached.
4) In the photos below, I have two culms and a new shoot growing off the rhyzome.
5) Keep the rhyzome wet and work quickly. Don’t leave it out in the sun to dry out.
6) Cut the culm where it is attached to the parent rhyzome, but make sure it has roots attached!
7) Water new plant in and keep the soil damp (but not water logged)

Choose pencil size culms.

Make sure you dig up the rhyzome and roots carefully.

Young Gracilis culms and rhyzome still attached.

After the soil is washed off, the rhyzome and root system is exposed for division..

Propagating Gracilis bamboo by division

Make the cut using sharp secateurs.

New culm and root system attached

Parent rhyzome with other culm

Two new Gracilis plants propagated by division

Young Bambusa Textilis Gracilis

Progpagating Gracilis bamboo by division is quite straight forward and easy, Just be careful and gentle with the fragile young culms.

I’ll update this post with more photos as the new culms grow. These were taken on the weekend of the 25th of January 2015.

How to roast a pork in a wood fired oven

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How to roast a pork in a wood fired oven

How to roast a pork in a wood fired oven you ask? Well this was my first attempt at roasting a pork in my wood fired pizza oven. I had seen pork cooked in a bakery oven in Cuba previously and I had cooked a few pigs on the spit but never in my pizza oven.

I have to admit, I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but it came out pretty damn good!

I do have a few guidelines that I’d like to share with you, this is based on my personal experience and on articles I read on other websites.

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Kubaneando

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Kubaneando was held at the Spanish Centre on the 27th of September 2014.

All the greats were present for the Kubaneando fiesta- Dj Kubanito, Eric Turro, El Moro, Chukale, Romina Anaquin and yours truly “Mr Mojito” with his timbiriche. This one was a night to be remembered. I am almost certain that even those souped up on Mojitos would remember the spectacular dancing of El Moro and Romina Anaquin (see photos below), the soulstifying grooves of Chukale, and the ever so gargantuan presence of Dj Cubanito.

A cake in the shape of a domino with the Cuban flag decorated over it was up for grabs in the raffle. The theme was obviously Cuba – and even though there was a poor turnout for the Cuban Domino tournament, the Cuban Rum flowed in quantities, Cuban salsa was on the dance menu, Cuban Arroz Congri and bistek Cubano.

I had brought large quantities of organic mint and fresh limes from the garden, and the newly built timbiriche (beach kiosk/bungalow) was a great success!

Some of the guests came in a mini-bus from Northern New South Whales – they were here for the salsa workshop and also for my Mojitos!

The Kubaneando party was a great night. I had a blast, I am sure that next year will be even bigger!

Please note - you may not use or reproduce these photographs without my written permission.

Mr Mojito’s timbiriche – the beach kiosk.

Stefania Serna

Stefania Serna owning it – Chukale spectacular

Danny Guerrero and Amigo on vocals

Gus Cereijo – Chukale

Steele Chabau in the background on Electric Bass

Bongo with Soul – Bongo con alma

Foosball at the Spanish Centre

The field where great things happen.

El Moro with Romina Anaquin

El Moro con Romina Anaquin

El Moro and Romina Anaquin – Casino dancing

Romina Anaquin and her dance partner El Moro.

Domino Cake – Decorated with edible Cuban flag.

Dj Cubanito – friendly giant.

Eric Turro – MC on the night of Kubaneando

How to make homemade grape juice

How to make homemade grape juice a quick tutorial by Henry Gomez.

The Indian Myna bird has successfully managed to shoot to the top of the list of animal pests introduced in Australia – way past cane toads, rats and stupid neighbours. This year, I had to pick the grapes off my muscat vine earlier than I would have liked to because those birds were gorging themselves on my fruits.

Once I collected the grapes off the vine, I was ready to make Moût. I recall as a child after the grape harvest in Geneva ,they would sell grape juice at La Migros and La Coop, it was great and that is when I may have developed my love for red wine.

Over the last couple of years, I used to pluck each grape individually off the bunch to make juice, but I have since talked to a friend who suggested I try this technique:

The method:

1) Wash all of the grapes thoroughly in a large container or in your kitchen sink. Remove any leaves, twigs and sticks etc…

2) Dry the grapes (only kidding)

3) Place the grapes in a pot with boiling water. I fill the pot approximately 3/4 of the way up – if you use too much water, it’ll boil over and make a jolly good mess.

3) Boil the grapes until they become soft and fall off the stem on their own – this usually takes around 30 minutes. Your kitchen will light up with deliciously sweet fragrances…

4) Place the grapes in a colander and squash them till you only have seeds, skins and stems left – make sure you place a container under the colander to catch the grape juice!

5) Repeat this step a couple of times with the colander, and then again with a strainer.

6) You can put the juice in a jug or storage container like a used Coke bottle and add sugar to taste.

This juice can be placed in the fridge once it has cooled down. It is a refreshing beverage in the morning, full of vitamins and anti-oxidants. The only downside is there is no alcohol content.

Check out the deep, dark purple colour. It reminds of a bottle of Grenache I shared with Michel Blanc at Chateau-Neuf-du=Pape in 2007, or was it 2006??

Crow’s Nest – Party, Paella and Pétanque

If you want to head out to Crow’s Nest, make sure you have alternative communication plans as mobile carrier towers are far and few in between – just like neighbours.

Crow’s Nest – Party, Paella and Pétanque – it was a milestone to be remembered and most of all, celebrated!! It was my brother’s quarter of a century celebration and Mum and Dad organised a traditional Spanish Paella. I brought my pétanque set so we could throw some balls around just for fun.

The drive from Brisbane takes around 1.5 hours if you drive via Esk (this was a recommendation from my brother) and it was very picturesque. The road was fine – until we reached Crow’s Nest, but we then had to drive about 5klm’s on a dirt road. The weather was also welcoming so we had no dramas.

If you want to head out to Crow’s Nest, make sure you have alternative communication plans as mobile carrier towers are far and few in between – just like neighbours. And there seems to be more cattle than humans out here, so you won’t feel lonely.

Mum made her trademark paella and everyone agreed it was delicious! It was great to spend the day out and away from the city. I imagine living in the country would be very relaxing (if you don’t have too many animals to take care of…)

Finally, I bought my brother a board game we used to play when we were younger – Stratego. But this is the new version – it’s called Stratego Transformers. You can play it normal style or with a Transformer Twist. I let my brother beat me this time as it was his birthday. Well done broski!

We had a great time and it was definitely worth the drive.